9+ most beautiful & best ancient towns in China

Are you looking to travel to a place with green mountains and blue waters to “heal”? Then save these picturesque, most beautiful and best ancient towns in China in this article!

Ancient stone-paved streets, well-preserved traditional houses, each ancient town in China has its own story and soul. Join us to discover the unique beauty of ancient villages, immerse yourself in the peaceful space to heal your soul and find balance in life!

Fenghuang Ancient Town (Phoenix Ancient City) – Ancient Town in Zhangjiajie, Hunan

• Location: Phoenix County, Hunan Province, China

Located among the majestic mountains of Hunan Province, Phoenix Ancient Town is a precious gem with ancient and peaceful beauty. It has existed for more than 1,300 years, is the homeland of many ethnic minorities and carries within it a fascinating historical story.

Visitors can visit Hongqiao Bridge – an ancient bridge across the Dajiang River and considered the symbol of Phoenix Ancient Town. When you come here, don’t miss the opportunity to stroll on the Old Street with wooden houses stained with time and visit souvenir shops and attractive local restaurants. In addition, visitors can also visit the Shennong Temple – where locals worship the God of Agriculture with unique cultural features in architecture and spirituality.

To fully explore the beauty of Phoenix Ancient Town, you should spend at least 2 days walking around, enjoying local cuisine and immersing yourself in the peaceful atmosphere here.

Lijiang Ancient Town – Yunnan (#best ancient towns in China)

• Location: Lijiang Ancient Town, Yunnan Province, China

Lijiang Ancient Town is a peaceful ancient town nestled next to the magnificent Jade Dragon Mountain. This place is known as “Suzhou of Highland”, attracting tourists by its ancient beauty, unique architecture and diverse culture, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Lijiang is a place where the cultures of many ethnic groups converge, such as Naxi, Yi, Lizu, Pumei, Bai, and Thai. That cultural beauty is clearly shown through the murals on Baisha or Shuhe streets, traditional festivals such as the Jiazi festival, ancestor worship festival, torch festival…

You can choose to come to Lijiang in spring (February – May) to see the canola flowers in full bloom, or in autumn (September – October) to feel the bustling harvest atmosphere. Lijiang Ancient Town is an ideal destination for those who want to find peace, explore culture and immerse themselves in nature.

Gubei Water Town – Famous Ancient Town in Beijing

• Location: Miyun District, Beijing, China

Located at the foot of the Great Wall, Gubei Water Town is a unique and attractive destination in Beijing. It preserves the rich historical and cultural imprints of China, from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China.

When entering Gubei Water Town, visitors will be fascinated by the nostalgic beauty of the stone-paved roads and houses built in traditional architecture, small canals winding between the streets creating a peaceful and poetic landscape.

If you come to Gubei, visitors should not miss the opportunity to visit Yinghua Academy, which preserves many Confucian classics, historical records, philosophical works, or visit Yongshun Dyeing House to learn about traditional textile printing and dyeing. In addition, visitors can also experience the life of local people by staying at their homes, enjoying traditional dishes such as corn egg cakes, pancakes, porridge, dumplings and roast pork.

To get to Gubei, visitors can choose to travel by bus from Dongzhimen, an inner gate of the old city of Beijing, or take the subway to Dongzhimen Station and then transfer to the bus. It is recommended to visit Gubei in the fall to admire the brilliant beauty of the red maple leaves.

Wuzhen, Zhejiang – One of the Most Beautiful Ancient Towns in China

• Location: Tongxiang, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, China

If you have visited famous ancient towns in China but missed Wuzhen, it would be a great pity. This place makes tourists miss it with its ancient architectural houses, mossy bridges across winding rivers, creating an extremely poetic scene like the ancient dramas you have seen on TV.

Wuzhen is divided into two main areas: the Eastern Area (Wuzhen Dongzha) and the Western Area (Wuzhen Xizha). The Eastern Area of ​​Wuzhen is splendid with ancient architecture, an ideal place to explore traditional Chinese culture. There is an Ancient Bed Museum, Folk Customs Museum, Distillery, Indigo Fabric Factory, Shadow Puppet Theater and Hua Gu Stage.

The Western Area is more quiet and peaceful. This is an ideal destination for those who want to find peace and relaxation. You can visit the Wuzhen Grand Theater, Wuzhen Floating Market, Foot Binding Cultural Museum, and Yadi Silk Factory.

Xi’an City Wall – Xi’an Ancient Town

• Location: Shaanxi Province, China

On the journey to discover the beautiful ancient towns of China, Xi’an City Wall is a destination not to be missed. Located next to thousands of years old historical relics such as the Xi’an Terracotta Army, the White Horse Temple, this ancient city wall is a testament to the strength and longevity of a brilliant civilization.

Xi’an City Wall is a massive architectural work, built around the old town to protect the city of Xi’an – the capital of many feudal dynasties of China. The wall is 12m high, 15m wide, 14km long, built with earth, lime and glutinous rice extract, then reinforced with bricks. The system of drawbridges, towers and moats around the city wall was once one of the most impressive military defense systems in the world.

Visitors can walk along the city wall, admire the view of Xi’an city from above, or cycle along the 14km long road, exploring the 600-year-old historical relics.

Tongli Ancient Town – Suzhou

• Location: Wujiang District, suburbs of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Tongli is known as the “Venice of the East”, with a dense system of canals, small stone-paved roads, and ancient houses built hundreds of years ago. This place is also famous for its traditional gardens, such as Tuisi Garden, Gengle Hall, Jiayin Hall, with elegant beauty, harmony between architecture and nature.

To get to Tongli, visitors can travel from Suzhou City by bus or taxi. There are also many homestays and guesthouses here for visitors to stay. To fully explore the beauty of Tongli, you should spend at least a day walking on the cobblestone streets, admiring the ancient houses, and enjoying the local specialties.

You can rent a boat to cruise on the canal, admiring the poetic scenery of the ancient town from a different perspective. In addition, do not forget to visit famous attractions such as Taiping Ancient Bridge, Jili Bridge, Changqing Bridge, and traditional gardens.

Tongli Ancient Town is an ideal destination for those who want to find peace, relaxation, and explore the ancient beauty of Chinese culture. This place promises to bring you unforgettable experiences.

Huanglongxi Ancient Town – Sichuan

• Location: Songliu District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China

Built nearly 2 centuries ago, Huanglongxi Ancient Town is like an ancient ink painting, attracting visitors with its peaceful beauty and fascinating historical stories. Stepping into Huanglongxi, you will be captivated by the poetic scenery, as if coming out of Chinese historical films.

Huanglongxi Ancient Town was built in the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty, with ancient houses, ancient temples and pagodas that are carefully preserved. The traditional beauty is clearly shown in every street, every house, every elaborate carving on the roof, or the colorful lanterns hanging in front of the porch on moonlit nights.

To get to Huanglongxi, you can choose to travel by bus from Chengdu or neighboring cities. The ancient town has a convenient public transportation system, making it easy for visitors to move and explore.

When you come to Huanglongxi, don’t forget to enjoy authentic Sichuan dishes, with their distinctive flavors and attractive presentation. In addition, you can also shop for unique souvenirs, such as lanterns, fans, and exquisitely crafted handicrafts.

Zhenyuan Ancient Town – Ancient Town in Guizhou

• Location: Zhenyuan County, Dongqiannan Miao and Dongqian Autonomous Region, Guizhou Province, China

Zhenyuan Ancient Town is a peaceful, poetic ancient town surrounded by majestic mountains in Guizhou Province with fresh air and ancient architecture. This place used to be an ancient town of the Miao people with a cultural history of more than 2,200 years. Zhenyuan Ancient Town is a living proof of the perfect blend of culture, people and nature.

The highlight of Zhenyuan Ancient Town is Qinglong Cave – an ancient temple complex with unique architecture, harmoniously combining the Central Plains (Zhongyuan) style and the stilt house architecture of the Miao people. This place is known as the “Hanging Pagoda in the South” and is one of the must-see attractions when coming to Zhenyuan.

When coming to Zhenyuan Ancient City, don’t forget to participate in the Duanyang Dragon Boat Festival – a unique traditional festival, demonstrating the unique culture of the local people.

To get to Zhenyuan Ancient City, you can choose to travel by road from Huu Nghi border gate if you come from Vietnam or fly to Guizhou and then travel by road.

Jinxi Ancient Town – Jiangsu

• Location: Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province

Located about 50 km from the center of Shanghai, Jinxi Ancient Town is a great destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and explore the ancient beauty of China. With a history of more than 2,500 years, the ancient town possesses many architectural works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, bringing a peaceful and serene space.

Stepping into Jinxi, visitors will enjoy the beauty of more than 238 rivers and canals winding between traditional houses. This is the highlight that makes this ancient town different from other ancient towns in China. Walking along the streets, tourists can listen to the sound of flowing water or feel the friendliness of the local people, bringing unforgettable memories of the journey.

In addition, Jinxi is also famous for folk museums such as the Red Ceramic Museum, the Zhuangsheng Art Exhibition, the Tree Root Sculpture Museum and the Stone Wonder Museum. This is the ideal destination for visitors to explore the unique culture of this land.

Pingyao Ancient Town – Ancient Town in Shanxi

• Location: Shanxi Province, China

Located about 120km northwest of Beijing, Pingyao Ancient Town is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanxi. With a history of more than 600 years, this ancient town has a typical ancient Chinese architecture.

Coming here, visitors will admire the outstanding landscapes such as the Pingyao Historical Site, Dengchenkun Memorial Hall or Baijia Temple. The peaceful space with nostalgic architecture makes Pingyao Ancient Town an ideal destination for visitors to explore the traditional cultural values ​​of China.

To travel to Pingyao Ancient Town, visitors can use public transportation such as buses or trains, or rent a private car if they want to be more flexible in exploring the ancient town. Remember to bring food, drinks and comfortable shoes when visiting, because this is a large place with many stops worth visiting.

Chinese ancient towns, with their quiet, ancient beauty, are cultural gems that have survived the flow of time. The cobblestone streets, ancient houses, ancient bridges, and historical stories preserved through each brick and each street corner all have their own unique beauty, peaceful and poetic.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to

• Shanghai By Night
• Best of Shanghai Half Day Tour
• Essential Shanghai 3 Day Private Tour
• Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
• 2 Days Shanghai Private Tour
• Modern Shanghai Private Day Tour
• Shanghai City Walking Tour
• Traditional Shanghai Private Day Tour
• Private Shanghai Classic Full Day Bike Tour
• Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
• Shanghai Disneyland Admission (90 days calendar)
• Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
• Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
• Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
• Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
• Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport Transfers
• [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
• [Bund View·Klook Exclusive] Shanghai Magic Jungle Ticket
• Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden
• Shanghai EF PARK Power Formula Park
• Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass
• Shanghai Disneyland (1 Day Admission/2 Day Admission)
• Oriental Pearl Tower
• CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
• [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
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Read more Shanghai guide here.